Can Claustrophobia Be Cured?

Claustrophobia is an anxiety disorder that involves the intense, persistent fear of being in enclosed, confined and/or small spaces. People suffering from claustrophobia may experience a panic attack in elevators, airplanes, tunnels, trains, basements, cellars, etc. as well as in any situation implying closeness, restriction or confinement. Although claustrophobia is sometimes considered the opposite of agoraphobia (the fear of open spaces), both types encompass a fear of public, crowded spaces, and being in such a place might trigger an anxiety attack in both claustrophobics and agoraphobics.

The claustrophobia-related fear is not just about feeling restricted or trapped in a confined space, but what could happen there. The person usually fears suffocating, running out of air, not being able to get out or get help. Physical reactions can include sweating, shaking, hyperventilation, palpitations, stomach distress, fainting and confusion. These symptoms cease soon after leaving the phobic situation.

The claustrophobic individual recognizes that their fear is excessive or irrational. However, many are reluctant to seek treatment and instead, look for ways to avoid being in situations that will trigger the phobia. Claustrophobia affects between 2-5% of the general population, and twice as many women as men. Some sufferers experience claustrophobia almost all the time, others only in response to direct stimuli.

Treatment options for claustrophobia

Claustrophobia treatments rely primarily on psychological methods by a trained professional therapist, psychiatrist or psychologist. Though anti-depressants and tranquilizers are sometimes used to treat claustrophobia, they will not eliminate it entirely. Although psychological treatment can be costly and intense, the good news is, with competent care, it is possible to overcome claustrophobia.

· Psychoeducation involves presenting a clear explanation about what claustrophobia is and addressing the possible factors involved in the development of claustrophobia. The educational component explains what occurs when a claustrophobic faces enclosed-type situations.

· Breathing re-training helps a claustrophobic slow their fast breathing pattern. A common response to claustrophobic situations is hyperventilation, resulting in intensification of anxiety. Teaching claustrophobics a slow breathing technique helps them face anxiety-provoking situations more calmly.

· Cognitive behavior therapy explores alternative ways of thinking about and ultimately facing specific claustrophobic situations, in order to relearn the anxiety response they create. The way we think determines how we will feel about things, and sometimes our erroneous interpretations can lead to fears and phobic reactions.

· Flooding is a type of exposure treatment that exposes a claustrophobic to specific triggers until the anxiety attack passes. The realization that they've come to no actual harm after encountering a claustrophobic situation, can be a very effective form of therapy. Modeling is a milder form of exposure that involves a claustrophobic watching other people confront the phobic trigger so they can then explore the thoughts and perceptions that led to their fear.

· Desensitization is also a type of exposure, wherein a claustrophobic is taught to use relaxation and visualization techniques when experiencing phobia-related anxiety. A phobic trigger is introduced slowly in a systematic, structured way as the person concentrates on staying calm. As they conquer each anxiety-producing situation, treatment progresses to the next one until all of them are overcome.

· Virtual Reality exposure utilizes computerized simulations to help a claustrophobic confront fear-provoking situations gradually and progressively. VR exposure is easier to administer and safer than traditional exposure (to both patient and therapist) because the stimuli can be controlled and graded by the therapist. VR can be an intermediate step between a therapist's office (where someone feels safe) and their environment. VR scenarios allow claustrophobics to confront all possible anxiety-producing situations.

· Hypnotherapy works to reprogram the subconscious thoughts that may be linked with the phobia. When the subconscious is reprogrammed, the phobia symptoms are often minimized.

· Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is the study of how individuals create their reality. From the NLP viewpoint, phobias are the result of faulty "programs" that a person has created. With NLP, these programs are revealed and "re-programmed" so that the phobia is minimized or eliminated.

· Energy Psychology is similar to acupuncture, except that no needles are used. Energy Psychology is emerging as an effective and safe way to change phobic behaviors and thought patterns.